US2311108A - Control device for sequential operation of service valves - Google Patents

Description

Feb. 16, 1943. F. HAUSER 2,311,108

OPERATION OF SERVICE VALVES CONTROL DEVICE FOR SEQUENTIAL Filed April 22, 1940 4 Sheets-Sheet l Feb. 16, 1943. F. HAUSER 2,311,108

CONTROL DEVICE FOR SEQUENTIAL. OPERATION OF SERVICE VALVES Filed April 22, 1940 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Feb. 16, 1943. F; HAUSER 2,311,108

CONTROL DEVICE FOR SEQUENTIAL OPERATION OF SERVICE VALVES Filed April 22, 1940 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 v "3." EM 1121 1 12 W 2 X/ E 7 81 1 32 I I llJllll MUN so 126 1! I1! I 134-! I 12 I? I -I: \nnnn Patented Feb. 16, 1943 UNITED STATE CONTROL DEVICE FOR SEQUENTIAL OPEBA- RVICE VALVES TION F SE Fred Hauscr, Los Angeles, Calif. Application April 22, 1940, Serial No.330,980

13 Claim.

This invention pertains to improvements in systems for sequential operation of service valves and is also directed to improvements and devices whereby valves controlling fluids under pressure may be sequentially operated from a remote point. Systems of this general type are most often used in the operation of sprinklers on golf courses, in parks, orchards, residences, etc., and one of the objects of the present invention is to provide control means whereby the hydraulic pressure existing in the water mains may be utilized for the purpose of energizlng a motor means, which motor means then causes the sequential operation of service valves. By the term service valves, reference is made to valves which control branch lines or banks of sprinklers whereas the control head is a device which causes sequential operation of the service valves.

Heretofore sprinkling systems have been evolved attempting toprovide means for sequentially controlling service valves but in such prior means motors were required and extraneous sources of energy had to be supplied in order to drive the controlling devices. The present invention distinguishes from these prior attempts in that it employs the pressure existing in the water mains for the purpose of energiz'lng a motor means whereby sequential operation of service valves may be attained without extraneous or added power and without the complexities attendant the supply of energy or -the more delicate mechanisms utilizing the same.

Generally-stated, the present invention pertains to a system including a control head, such control head including a spring motor and an amounts of power.

' v plane hydraulic means for energizing the spring mo-" tor. This hydraulic means can be actuated from any remote point for the purpose of resetting the valve actuating means and energizingthe motor means and thereby initiating a sequential operation of service valves. Moreover, the arrangement of elements hereinafter disclosed permits manual operation of individual service valves in the event such desired.

An object of the present invention, therefore, is to disclose and provide a system for sequential operation of service valves.

A further object is to provide a combination of elements whereby two time periods during which the service valves are open may be selectlvely attained-by operating a simple lever.

manual operation is Such arrangment results in sprinkling periods of different duration.

A still further object is to provide means whereby a plurality of service valves may be controlled and actuated in a simple and efflcient mannerby expenditure of but minimum These and other objects, uses, advantages, adaptations and modifications of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description of an illustrative embodiment of the invention. In order to facilitate understanding, reference will be had to the appended drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a plan view, diagrammatic in general form, of a system of branch lines provided with sprinkler heads, service valves, 9. control head and a remote starting valve.

Figure 2 is a vertical section of a service valve Figure 3 is a vertical section taken along the plane 3-3 of Figure 1 and illustrating the construction of a control head.

Figure 4 is a horizontal section taken along the plane 4-4 of Figure 3 and showing the distributor plunger and the hydraulic piston for resetting the valve actuating means and energizing the motor means. The distributer plunger and the distributer sleeve are shown in a position which results in long sprinkling pe riods.

Figure 5 is a vertical section taken along the 5-5 of Figure 1 partlybroken away. Figure 6 is a horizontal section through the distributer cylinder similar to Figure 4, but showing the distributer plunger and the distrlbuter sleeve in a position resulting in short sprinkling periods.

Figure 7 is a section taken along plane I--1 of Figure 4.

Figure 8 is a section taken along plane 'l--'| of Figure 4 but with the distributer plunger and the distributer sleeve in aposition which results in short sprinkling periods.

Figure 9 is an end elevation of Figure 1 showing only the distributer cylinder.

Figure 10 is a perspective view of the dis-. tributer plunger.

Figure 11 is an exterior view partly in section of a modified form of a valve operating means.

Figure 12 is a section taken along plane I2-l2 of Figure 11.

Figure 13 is a cross section taken along plane I3-l3 of Figure 11.

As shown in Figure 1, a line, such as the water main fluid pressure supply I, may be provided with branch lines 2 leadingto service valves 3 and 4 which control the supply of pressure fluid or water to branch lines 5 and 8, the branch lines 5 and.6 being provided with sprinklers or outlets 1, 8, 9, etc. A control head is indicated at I and the bottom of this control head is connected to the pressure line I through pipe II. The control head l0 may be connected as by means of tubing |2 with valve I3, said valve connecting tubing l2 with main The valve I3 may be opened by operating lever H as indicated by arrow. Upon releasing lever l4, valve l3 closes automatically being a self closing valve.

The control head I ii is provided with a plurality of outlets l to which are connected suitable tubings I6 which in turn connect with service valves 3 and 4.

The service valve 3 is shown lnmore detail in Figure 2. Attention is called to the fact that a service valve of the character shown in the drawings is described in detail in my co-pending application filed Oct. 15, 1941, Serial No. 415,079, a substitute for the application filed by me July 11, 1938, Serial No. 218,524.

The service valve 4 illustrated in Figure 2 is simply illustrative of one form of valve which may be employed, it being understood that other types of service valves may be used instead.

Generally stated, however, the service valve 4 shown in the drawings is of the hydraulic differential piston type and includes a valve member 20 provided with a small piston including the cup leather 2| and a larger piston including the cup leather 22. sure fluid from the control head through a rotatable valve body 23 into the chamber 24, such pressure fluid thereby acting upon the large end of the movable valve body and upon the large piston 22, thereby forcing the valve body 20 upon its seat so as to cut off the supply of pressure fluid from the branch inlet 2 to the outlet line 5. Manual rotation of the valve body 23, as for example by means of the cross wheel 25 (adapted to be engaged by the usual type of tools) may out off the supply of pressure fluid to the service valve and discharge the pressure fluid within the chamber 24 through an outlet 26, thereby permitting the valve body 20 to be raised and water from branch inlet 2 to be supplied to the branch 5.

The service valve 4 may also be opened by cutting off the supply of pressure fluid to chamber 24 through tubing I6, and permitting fluid within the chamber 24 to discharge through tubing Hi.

The control head is shown in detail in Figures 3 to inclusive. By referring to Figures 3 and 4 it will be seen that the control head includes three main sections. An upper section is indicated at 30 and contains a motor means such as, for example, a spring clock motor 3|. Beneath the section 30 is section 32 adapted to con.- tain an hydraulic means for energizing-the motor 3| and simultaneously resetting the valve actuating means to starting position. The third section generally indicated at 33 (Figures 4-and 5) is bolted to the side of section 32 and includes the distributer cylinder. The three sections 30, 32 and 33 may be held together in any suitable manner as, for example, by means of bolts 34 and 35. I

The bottom of section 32 may be threadedly connected to the pipe Directly above pipe N there may be provided a filter screen 31. A passage 38 (Figure 3) and passages 39 and 44 The tubing |6 supplies pres-- (Figure 5) connect the main line with the inside 76 of distributer cylinder 4|. Cylinder 4| may carry at its extreme outer end a cap 42 which is firmly pressed into cylinder 4| and made an integral part of same by pin 43. Cap 42 may also be provided with a projection which serves as a handle 44 and a pointer 45. The distributer cylinder 4| is rotatabiy housed in casing 48 in such a manner that a water tight seal is maintained between the outer wall of cylinder 4| and the inside wall of casing 48. The cylinder assembly, consisting of cylinder 4| and cap 42, is held axially in position by means of an adjusting screw 41 which bears against cap 42 and thereby maintains a water tight seal between it and casing 48 at 48. Cover plate 49 which carries adjusting screw 41 may be suitably fastened to casing 44 by means of bolts 50. A segmental opening 49', in cover plate 43 may be provided to accommodate handle 44 as it is partially rotated from one position to another (Figure 9). The end of casing 46 nearest section 32 may be provided with a reduced bore 55 concentric with the axis of the distributer cylinder. The inner end of bore 5| may be formed into a seat 52. A gasket 53 may be inserted between casing 48 and section 32 to prevent fluid from leaking from bores 39 and 40 into the atmosphere.

Distributer plunger or valve member 55 may be inserted in cylinder 4| in a manner that permits it to reciprocate freely back and forth in same. Figure 10 shows a perspective view of distributer plunger 55. It will be noted that plunger 55 is of square cross section with its 4 corners turned oil to form segmental surfaces of a cylinder, the forward portion 53 thereof accurately fitting the bore of distributer cylinder 4|, and the rearward portion 51 being relieved so as to provide a space 51 (Figures 4 and 5) between it and the wall of the distributer cylinder. A guide pin 58 pressed in plunger 55 and freely sliding in longitudinal groove 59 of cylinder 4| maintains a. fixed radial relationship between plunger 55 and cylinder 4| during the reciprocating movement of the former. A hollow plunger rod or stem 60, having a bore 6| is inserted in the rearward end of plunger 55 and suitably fastened to same to form a watertight connection, preferably by soldering. A gasket 62 of nonmetallic material may be placed in an annular recess. Oblong ports 63 and 84 milled in all four forward segmental surfaces 56 of plunger 55 are in communication with hole 6| of rod 60 by conduits and 86. Longitudinal slots 61 are milled in the forward portion of piston 66, and at the end of same a reduced cylindrical portion or throat 43 is formed, thus creating four resilient prongs 39, 1|), etc., each of which carrying a port 33 or 34 connected with the-bore 8| of hollow rod 60. Before plunger 55 is inserted in distributer cylinder 4|, the four resilient prongs 89, 10, etc., are slightly bent outwardly in such a manner that the segmental surfaces 56 form part of a cylindrical surface slightly larger in diameter than the bore of cylinder 4|. Once inserted in cylinder 4| such procedure guarantees a continuous water tight fit between. the contacting surfaces. At this point attentionis called to the fact that theports 43 and 64 in distributer plunger 58 are not of the same length, but the port diagonally opposite port 84 (not shown in Figure 10, but

shown in Figure 4) is of identical length with port 84, and the port diagonally opposite port 63 is of identical length with port' 63, but one such pair is longer than the other. There are therefore two pairs of ports which may be designated for the purpose of clearness as the long ports 64 (Figure 4) and the short ports 63 (Figure Corresponding with, and at times communicating with the long ports 64 are various radial ports 1| (Figure 4) drilled through the wall of distributer cylinder 4|, and longitudinally extended onthe outside of communicate with the outlet or service ports 12 in casing '41. The ports 12 are then connected as by means of tubings :6 to service valves'3, 4, etc. Similarly, ports 13 and their longitudinal extensions 14 are formed in distributer cylinder Ci to correspond with the short ports 63 of the plunger 55 (Figures 5 and 6). It is evident that due to the fact that Figure 5 is a vertical cross section taken on line 5-8 Figure 1, ports 13 and extensions 14 are not in communication with outlet ports 12 and no water may flow through them when cylinder 46 is in the position as shown in Fmure 5.

The end of plunger rod 88 which extends through the end wall of casing 46 is loosely connected to one end of piston 15 by means of retaining screw 16 projecting into circular groove 11 of nut 18 which is screwed onto plunger rod 68. The end of plunger rod 68, adjacent to nut 18 terminates in valve seat 18 formed around hole 6|. Directly opposite valve seat 18, is slidably inserted plunger 88 which is made of a nonmetallic material, preferably hard rubber. Piston 15 is received by cylinder 8|, formed in section 82 and projecting section 82. Dog screw 62 engages longitudinal slot 83 and prevents piston 15 from revolving but permits same to freely slide longitudinally in cylinder 8|. Piston 15 consists of three portions: one end portion to which is secured plunger rod 68, the opposite end portion which carries cup leather 84 mounted in customary fashion, and a center portion which is of oblong shape and includes a longitudinal slot 83. Opposite to this slot there is bolted a rack 85 which engages gear 86. Cap 81 seals the end of cylinder 8| and may be provided with tubing connection 81' (Figure 1) and tubing I! which leads to valve ii. A bleeder outlet 88 establishes communication between the inside of cylinder 8| and the atmosphere. Two other bleeder outlets 88 and 98 are intended to permit any operating fluid flowing through hollow plunger rod 68 to reach atmosphere. Stop lug 9|, cast on end of casing 46, restricts the forward move- -ment of piston 15.

It is to be remembered that it is desired to sequentially operate the various service valves 8, 4, etc. In order to accomplish this, the motor 8| (Figure 3) may be wound by hand, as, for example, by means of a hand knob 82 extending from the top of the housing section 38 and protected from the elements by means of a pivoted cover plate 98 mounted on the top of the housing section 38. The motor 3| consists of a standard'clock mechanism that is now being manufactured and on the market and it is characterized by the frictional mounting of the main drive shaft 94, whereby the same may be manually rotated in either direction to wind or unwind the main spring of the clock or spring motor. The clock is wound or energized by turning main drive shaft 94 in counter-clock-.

wise direction. The main drive shaft 94 oi'the motor 8| may be provided with the arm 95, the end thereof being received in a slot 86 of wheel the cylinder wall to from both sides of 81. The wheel 81 is attached to one end of a ation. Since the inside of is connected to water main i through ports 48,

shaft 98 journaled in a bearing bracket 89 bolted to the top of section 32. This shaft 88 may have fastened to its other end gear 86 which meshes with rack 85.

Normally, when none of the sprinklers 1, 8, 8, etc., of the system are operating, and when all service valves 3, 4, etc:, are closed, and the distributer plunger 55 and piston 15 are in an extreme rearward position (not shown in the drawlugs) and are held there by the clockwise torque of gear 86 which in turn is influenced by spring motor 3|. In this position gasket 62 is pressed firmly against valve seat 52 due to the clockwise torque of gear 86 meshing rack 85. Also plunger 88 is pressed against valve seat 18 by reason of ball I88 mounted on the end of a spring wire |8|. Ball I88 and spring wire |8| are thenin a position shown in dotted lines. Such a method of sealing both outlets of cylinder 4| prevents any leakage through bore 5| Or any leakage through bore 6| originating from an inadequate sealing around ports 64 and 63, during the period while the sprinkling system is not in operdlstributer cylinder 4| 89, 88, and pipe ii, the full hydrostatic pressure of the system is maintained inside cylinder 4|.

The full hydrostatic pressure is also maintained in chamber 24 of the service valves 3, 4, etc., by reason of their connections through tubing i8 and ports 12 and 1| to cylinder 4|. All service valves 8, 4, etc., are closed as shown in Figure 2 when distributer plunger 55 is in an extreme rearward position. The sprinkling operation may be instituted in two different manners: first, by turning hand knob 82 in counterclockwise direction as far as possible, or second, by operating lever of valve i3 as indicated by arrow (Figure 1). If the first method lsnsed piston 15 is moved forward by the action of gear 86 on rack 88 until stopped by lug 6!. Such forward movement of piston 15 also moves plunger rod 68 and distributer plunger 55 forward to the position shown in Figure 4. In this position port 1| is closed by the forward portion 58 of distributer plunger 55. Upon release of hand knob 82 by the operator the spring motor 3| starts to function immediately and slowly rotates gear 88 in a clockwise direction due to the fact that the driving spring in spring motor 3| had been wound by above mentioned manual counterclockwise rotation of hand knob 92. Such arotation, therefore, not only moves distributer plunger 55 into the starting position but also energizes spring motor 8|. The clockwise rotation of gear 86 slowly returns piston 15 and plunger 55, thereby bringing port 64 into communication with port 1|. In Figure 4 port 1| is just beginning to communicate with port 64. In this position the pressure fluid from chamber 24 of service valve 4 may begin to be discharged through ports 65 and 66 into bore 6| of plunger rod 68 and from there through ports 88 and 98, to the atmosphere. This causes the service valve 4 connected to this particular port drive shaft 84 of spring clock motor 8| runs.

Generally used sprinkling periods vary from minutes to 40 minutes. If the sprinkling operation is initiated by the second method, namely by operating lever I4, then water from the main enters cylinder 8| through tubing i2 and pushes piston I5 forward until stopped by lug 9|. As lever I4 is released by the operator, valve I3 closes and the pressure fluid in cylinder 8| discharges through the small vent 88 into the atmosphere, and the spring motor 3| slowly returns piston 15 and distributer plunger 55 as described above. In this second method of initiating the sprinkling operation the spring motor 3| is wound by the action of rack 85 on gear 86.

It is desirable at times to have sprinkling periods of different duration available. Such a change in the duration oi the sprinkling periods may be accomplished by rotating handle 44 (Figure 9) from one extreme position to the other. It is evident from the foregoing detail description that the distributer cylinder 4| also rotates a portion of a revolution (90 in the case shown in the drawings) whenever handle 44 is rotated from one extreme position to the other. And since distributer plunger 55 is held in a fixed radial relationship in regards to cylinder 4| by reason 01' pin 58 sliding in groove 58, said plungor 55 also rotates an identical amount as does cylinder 4|. Figure 7 is a section taken along plane 'I| of Figure 4 and shows the position of groove 58 and pin 58 when long ports 84 of distributer plunger 55 are communicating with ports II in casing 48. Such alignmentof the ports results in the long sprinkling period. As handle 44.

(Figure 9) is rotated to a position shown in dotted lines, the distributer cylinder 4| and plunger 55 assume the position relative to ports II' as shown in Figures 6 and 8. In such a position the short ports 83 of distributor plunger 55, through ports I3 and their longitudinal extensions 14 are in communication with ports I2 01' casing 48. Such an alignment of ports results in a short sprinkling period. Figure 6 shows such an alignment of ports and shows distributer plunger 55 in a position in which it isjust beginning to open one of the ports I3 to the pressureinside distributer cylinder 4|, and to open another port I8 to the atmosphere, which results in closing service valve 4 and opening service valve 3 (Figure 1).

Should it be desired to stop the sequential operation of the service valves, 3, 4, etc., i. e., to stop the sprinkling process, before spring motor II has returned distributor plunger 55 to its normal resting position, and while any one of the service valves 3, 4, etc., might be open, the operator merely has to rotate hand knob 82 in a clockwise direction thereby returning all the reciprocating members to a resting position, and also unwinding themain spring of spring motor 3|.

Figures 11, 12, and 13 show a modified constructionoif the control head 10. Section 38 as shown in Figure 3 is used in the same form in the modified construction (Figure 11) Beneath section 38 is section 32 which contains an hydraulic means for energizing the motor 3|. Piston I5 carries rack 85' which meshes with gear 88' as previously described. Formed at the end of cylinder 8| is projection H8, in which are mounted a plurality of pilot valves III. A bore H2 connecting with main I by means of tubing H3 and pipe II forms a pressure chamber in the lower portion of projection I III, and is always under line pressure.

The projection H8 includes a plurality of vertical bores I I4 adapted to receive valved members H5. These valve members H5 may consist of nonmetallic material such as, for example, vulcanized rubber having a polygonal cross section and preferably including a stepped portion or portion of reduced diameter as, for example, the portion H8 (Figure 13). Each of the bores, such as the bore H4 is provided with an axial port H1 in communication with the pressure chamber H2. The upper end of each bore H4 is provided with a removable threadedly connected valve seat plug II 8 having a port H8 axial to the bore H4 and a transverse outlet port H8 leading to the bleeder chamber I28. Loosely movable within the valve seat plug H8 is a pin |2| provided with a head I22 extending from the plug.

At right angle to the bores H4 and communicating with same are ports I23. The various ports I23 are then connected as by means of tubings I8 with the service valves such as the service valve 4.

At this point attention is called to the fact that when fluid under pressure is admitted to the chamber H2 from the main I, such fluid under pressure will pass through the port H1 and into the bore H4. In view 01 the fact that the valve member H5 is provided with a light spring I24 around reduced section H8, the valve member H5 will be-raised and seated against the axial port H8 01' the *valve seat plug H8. Fluid under pressure will fld'w past the valve member H5 into the radial port I23 associated therewith and through the tubing I6 to the service valve 4. In service valve 4 the fluid under pressure will move the difierential piston assembly downwardly so as to seat the valve 28 and Slidably'i'astened to extension I25 of piston I5 is a collar I26, on the underside of which is secured-spring arm I 21, made of some flexible material preferably spring bronze. The outer end 01' spring arm I21 forms a shoe having a flat portion I28 and two upwardly curved pdrtions I28. Upon instituting sprinkling operation, piston I5 is moved forward, either manually or hydraulically as previously described, until end I38 of extension I25 contacts stop screw III. In this position the flat portion I28 or spring arm I21. is just forward 01' head I22 of the first pilot valve III. As piston I5 is slowly returned by action of spring motor 3|, the shoe portions I28 and I28 of spring arm I21 contact successively the protruding heads I22 of the pilot valves H5 and hold such heads down for a desired length of time. The pin |2I, which extends through the axial port of the valve seat plug H8 forces valve member H5 downwardly so as toseat same on the valve port I I1 leading to the pressure chamber I I2. When the valve member H5 is in such depressed position then the pressure fluid from one of the service valves 3, 4, etc., may be discharged through tubing I5, and port I23 into the bore H4 and out through port H3 into the bleeder chamber I28 and into the atmosphere through bleeder port I32. Such a closing of port H1 and simultaneous opening of bleeder ,stand that the diameter of atmosphere, and

- fluid inlet and a plurality of service ports, a valve port H9 opens one of the service valves 3, 4, etc. As the shoe portions I28 and I29 get out oi contact with pin head I22, valve member H5 again closes bleeder port .I I9 and opens port H1 restoring the .iull pressure in tubing l6 and consequently closing one of the service valves 4, 5, etc. It will be understood that in a complete system of piping, valves and controls, one or more control heads may be used, depending upon the diameter of the pressure fluid mains, the number of service valves carried by the branches thereof and the volume of fluid which it is desired to pass through each of such service valves. Moreover, the control heads need not include the hydraulic energizing means contained within the cylinder 8| of section 32, but rack 85 may be directly connected to plunger rod 60. Such hydraulic energizing means although greatly facilitate the operation of the devices. The pressure fluid supplied to the hydraulic energizing means may be supplied from any suitable source and the valve i3 may be located at any desired place in the conduit supplying such pressure fluid.

Those skilled in the art will further underplunger rod 60 may be so selected in regards to commonly occurring water pressures in commercial or domestic water supplies that the force tending to return the plunger 55 rearward, (said force being directly proportionate to the water pressure) may be approximately oflset by the friction caused by Sliding piston 15, cup leather 84 and the rack and gear drive. The spring motor therefore may have to supply only a minute amount of energy,

either in supplying energy to return piston 15 or to prevent it from returning any faster than desired, but at all times timing such sliding return movement. All such changes, modifications and adaptations as come within the scope of the appended claims are embraced thereby.

Having thus described my invention I claim:

1. A control head for sequential operation of service valves comprising: a fluid-tight casin a bore within said casing provided with a pressure fluid inlet and a plurality of service ports, a valve member arranged to reciprocate within said casing bore, said valve member being provided with outlet ports, a hollow stern secured to said valve member and protruding through said fluid-tight casing and connecting said outlet ports with the means member within said casing bore to sequentially connect said service ports with said valve outlet ports and said hollow stem.

2. A control head for sequential operation of service valves comprising: a fluid-tight'casing, a bore within said casing provided with a pressure fluid inlet and a plurality of service ports, a valve member arranged to reciprocate within said casing bore, said valve member being provided. with outlet ports, a hollow stem secured to said valve member and protruding through said fluid-tight casing and connecting said outlet ports with the atmosphere and means for sliding said valve member within said casing bore to sequentially connect said service ports with said valve outlet ports and said hollow stem; and sealing means arranged to become operative to close said hollow stem when said valve member is at rest position and thereby preventing any leakage of pressure fluid from inside of said fluid-tight casing.

3. A control head for sequential operation of service valves comprising: a fluid-tight casing, a bore within said casing provided with a pressure for sliding said valve atmosphere, and

member arranged to reciprocate within said casing bore, said valve member being provided with outlet ports, a hollow stem secured to said valve member and protruding through said fluid-tight casing and connecting said outlet ports with the atmosphere, and means for sliding said valve member within said casing bore to sequentially connect said service ports with said valve outlet ports and said hollow stem; and means, selectively operable, adapted to alter the time interva1 during which said service ports are connected with said valve outlet ports.

4. A control head for sequential operation of service valves comprising: a fluid-tight casing, a bore within said casing provided with a pressure fluid inlet and a plurality of service ports, a valve member arranged to reciprocate within said casing bore, said valve member being provided with outlet ports, a hollow stem secured to said valve member and protruding through said fluid-tight casing and connecting said outlet ports with the means for sliding said valve member within said casing bore to sequentially connect said service ports with said valve outlet ports and said hollow stem; and motor means arranged to impart uniform sliding motion to said valve member during its operating stroke.

5. A control head for sequential operation of service valves comprising; a fluid-tight casing, a bore within said casing provided with a pressure fluid inlet and a plurality of service ports, a valve member arranged to reciprocate within said casing bore, said valve member being provided with outlet ports, a hollow stem secured to said valve member and protruding through said fluid-tight casing and connecting said outlet ports with the atmosphere, and means for sliding said valve member within said casing bore to sequentially connect said service ports with said valve outlet ports of said hollow stem; and motor means arranged to impart uniform sliding motion to said valve member during its operating stroke; and hydraulic starting means arranged to move said valve member into starting position and simultaneously energize said motor means.

6. A control head for sequential operation of service valves comprising: a fluid-tight casing, a bore within said casing provided with a pressure fluid inlet and a plurality of service ports, a valve member arranged to reciprocate within said casing bore said valve member being provided with outlet ports, a hollow stem secured to said valve member and protruding through said fluid-tight casing and connecting said outlet ports with the atmosphere, and means for sliding said valve member within said casing bore to sequentially connect service ports with said valve outlet port: and said hollow stem; and motor means arranged to impart uniform sliding motion to said vain member during its operating stroke; and manually operable means arranged to move said valve member into starting position and simultaneously energizesaid motor means.

7. A control head for sequential operation of service valves comprising: a fluid-tight casing, a bore within said casing provided with a pressure fluid inlet and a plurality of service ports, a valve member arranged to reciprocate within said casing bore, said valve member being provided with outlet ports, a hollow stem secured to said valve member and protruding through said fluid-tight casing and connecting said outlet ports with the atmosphere, and means for sliding said valve member within said casing bore to sequentially connect said service ports with said valve outlet ports and said hollow stem; and motor means arranged to impart uniform sliding motion to said valve member during its operating stroke; and hydraulic starting means arranged to move said valve member into starting position and simultaneously energize said motor means, said hydraulic starting means including a cylinder, a reciprocating piston in said cylinder a driving connection between said reciprocating piston and said motor means, and a connection between said reciprocating piston and said hollow stem, a fluid pressure conduit connected to said cylinder, and a valve means in said conduit located at a point removed from said control head for supplying pressure fluid to said cylinder to actuate said reciprocating piston and move said valve member into starting position and simultaneously energize said motor means.

8. A control head ior sequential operation of service valves comprising: a fluid-tight casing, a bore within said fluid-tight casing connected at all times to the fiuid supply under pressure and provided with a plurality of service ports, a valve member arranged to reciprocate within said casing bore, said valve member being provided with one or more outlet port or ports in communication with the atmosphere, and means for sliding said valve member within said casin bore for successively bringing said service ports in communication with said outlet port or ports without diminishing the pressure within said casing bore.

9. A control head for sequential operation of service valves comprising: a fluid-tight casing, a bore within said casing provided with a plurality of service ports, a cylinder within said casing bore provided with a pressure fluid inlet and at least two groups of intermediate ports, each of said intermediate ports in one group being adapted to be connected to a corresponding service port, means for rotating said cylinder to bring any de sired group of said intermediate ports in communication with said service ports, a valve member within said cylinder, said valve member bein provided with outlet ports of diil'erent sizes, each of said outlet ports being aligned radially with a corresponding group, of intermediate ports, a hollow stem communicating with said outlet ports and protruding through said fluid-tight cas-' ing, and means for sliding said. valve member to successively bring said intermediate ports of the group then communicating with said service ports,

in communication with the corresponding outlet ports.

10. A control head for sequential operation of service valves comprising: a fluid-tight casing, a bore within said casing provided with apressure fluid inlet and a plurality of service ports, a valve member arranged to reciprocate and rotate within said casing bore, said valve member being provided with outlet ports oi diflerent sizes, a hollow stem communicating with said outlet ports and protruding through said fluid-tight casing, and

, means for rotating said valve member to bring any desired of said outlet ports in radial alignment with said service ports, and means for sliding said valve member to successively bring said service ports in communication with a previously aligned outlet port; said alignment of ports resulting in time intervals of difierent duration during which said service ports are in communication with an outlet port.

11. In a system for sequential operation of service valves: 13. control head comprising a fluidtight casing, a bore within said casing connected at all times to the fluid supply under pressure and provided with a plurality of service ports, a service valve connected to each of said service ports, a valve member arranged to reciprocate within said casing bore, said valve member being provided with at least one outlet port in communication with the atmosphere, and means for sliding said valve member within said casing bore for successively connecting said service ports, one at the time with an outlet port, each of said service valves being adapted to open when connected to said outlet port and to close when connected to the fluid supply under pressure.

12. In a system for sequential operation of service valves: a control head comprising a fluidtight chamber adapted to be connected at all times to the fluid supply under pressure and provided with a pluraltiy of service ports, a service a valve connected to each of said service ports, a

valve member arranged to reciprocate within said fluid-tight chamber, said valve member being provided with an outlet port in communication with the atmosphere; and means for sliding said valve member within said casing bore 101' successively connecting said service ports, one at the time with said outlet port and thereby controlling the sequential operation of said service valves.

13. In a control head, the combination 01 a spring motor, a fluid-tight chamber provided with a-plurality of service valve outlets, and a pressure fluid inlet. a reciprocating member within said fluid-tight chamber provided with outlet ports in communication with the atmosphere, said reciprocating member being operably connected to said spring motor and adapted for sequentially connecting said service valve outlets with said outlet ports, and means for manually and hydraulically energizing said spring motor and simultaneously setting said reciprocating member into starting position, said means being adapted to permit manually de-energizing of said spring motor at will and simultaneously resetting said reciprocating member into rest position.

FRED HAUSER.

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